Among the most if not the most underrated teams in the footballing history, is the Hungarian national team of the 1950s. The so called, “total football” which was extremely famous during the 1974 world cup played by Holland, was the tactic used by the Hungarians first. From behind the iron curtains came a team coached by Gusztàv Sebes, which revolutionised the way of playing football and established themselves as the best team on the world level. In 1952 Hungary revived themselves after the tragic loss of talent in the world war 2. The 1952 Olympic games provided the very stage needed for this and they won their first game against Romania by 2 goals to 1, scoring 7 against the Turks, 3 against the Italians and 6 against the reigning Olympic champions Sweden. With Ferenc Puskàs captaining the side, they claimed the central European championship as well. The tactics were simple, everyone attacks and it was seemless.
Hungary made a name for themselves when in 1953 they did the unimaginable; beating England at home and before the match began it was being called the match of the century. Hungary won 6-3. The biggest transformation was the change in the position of the number 9, who became a deep lying striker (false 9 formation). The orthodox W or M formation was no match for this. 6 months later, the England team came to Budapest looking for redemption, only to be humiliated 7-1.
The stage was set and Hungary were favourites to win the 1954 world cup. Starting their campaign in ravaging style beating south korea 9-0, thrashing West Germany 8-3, next facing Brazil n winning 4-2. The game against Brazil went down in the history books as the ‘Battle of Berne’. Next came Uruguay, where the Hungarians were pushed to the egde but managed to win 4-2 in extra time. The finals was against West Germany, a much improved side from the 8-3 thrashing. Sepp Herberger said in an interview,” yes I saw the 6 goals against England, they were magnificent but did you see they conceded 3, we will get those 3 goals”. The Germans came back from 2-0 down to make it 3-2 and were crowned world champions. The Hungarian loss was due to their complacency and no one could believe their eyes. After the world cup Hungary went on an 18 game unbeaten run and later won against the Soviet Union in an away fixture.
1956 was the year where the golden generation was lost. With communists back in power, Hungarian football was never to be the same again. 3 important players decided never to play again for Hungary, including captain Puskàs. He returned home after 20 years for a reunion game and that day the golden generation was back together. This team was the one that has lost just once in 6 years, the team that revolutionised modern football and suprised and surpassed everyone to become one of the greatest ever!
Football's Greatest Ever 